POTUS landing in Yuma, AZ, in the morning~
120 COVID patients now @ Yuma Regional Med Center~CEO Robert Trenschel:
"We've seen a surge…we've stopped all of our elective procedures…we just don't have the staffing available–ICU nurses, floor nurses to staff all of our beds." pic.twitter.com/g5Hf3zHllJ
— Vaughn Hillyard (@VaughnHillyard) June 23, 2020
Per MarketWatch:
Regrouping after a humbling weekend rally, President Donald Trump faces another test of his ability to draw a crowd during a pandemic Tuesday as he visits Arizona and tries to remind voters of one of his key 2016 campaign promises…
First, the president will travel to Yuma to mark the construction of more than 200 miles of wall along the U.S.-Mexico border, an issue that he built his campaign on four years ago. Later, he’ll address a group of young Republicans at a Phoenix megachurch, where event organizers have pledged thousands will attend.
Throughout the trip, the COVID-19 pandemic will shadow Trump. The Democratic mayor of Phoenix made clear that she does not believe the speech can be safely held in her city — and urged the president to wear a face mask.
“Everyone attending tomorrow’s event, particularly any elected official, should set an example to residents by wearing a mask,” said Mayor Kate Gallego. “This includes the President.”…
The “Students for Trump” event will be held at the Dream City Church and broadcast to groups across the nation. It is being hosted by Turning Point USA, a group founded by Trump ally Charlie Kirk. Organizers said health and safety measures still were being finalized and it was not clear if attendees would be asked to wear masks or keep socially distant.
Since late May, Arizona has emerged as one of the nation’s most active hotspots for the spread of COVID-19. Use of hospitals, intensive care units and ventilators has set daily records over the past week…
On the positive side (this is snark), when things go badly (in every predictable & probably some entirely new ways), it might force Charlie Kirk far enough out of favor that he has to get a real job — or at least lie low — for the next few months. Yeah, right — as if a GOP grifter ever suffered ‘consequences’!
Tuesday Morning Open Thread: ‘Rallying’ in PhoenixPost + Comments (263)